Our Vibrant Economy Index sparks debate about what type of economy we want to build. It uses multiple datasets to provide a robust, independent framework to help understand the challenges and opportunities in a local area. And it drives collaboration between citizens, businesses and place-shapers to make their places thrive.

“Just a quick message to say a sincere thanks for today. It was one of the best events of this type I’ve attended in the last… well, ever. Everything about it was refreshing and Vibrant. You did yourselves proud.”Steve Dimmock – Doopoll

“Just a very quick email to thank you for the invite yesterday. I’m sure you’re delighted as a team at how the event went, there was certainly a strong and positive vibe in the room and it really felt like the start of something. I’m looking forward to seeing that evolve over the coming weeks and months and to being part of that journey.”Myrddyn Hughes – Santander

“Just wanted to say thank you again for last week it really was excellent.”Gethin John – Thomas Duffy Financial

“Thank you for hosting a brilliant event yesterday. Sacha and Alistair speeches were thought provoking, inspiring and powerful. I wish you continued success with this initiative putting Wales on the map and driving growth and change. The food, drink and location were excellent along with the quality mix of guests creating a wonderful ambience and vibe. Well done!”Donagh Kenny – Allied Irish

Share your vibrant story

Vibrant Economy Wales provides an opportunity to collaborate and share ideas to create an environment across Wales which supports sustainable business growth, innovation and sense of purpose.

Individuals celebrated for their innovation, growth and purpose.

The 100 Faces of a Vibrant Economy are drawn from across the UK and represent diverse sectors and industries. Among them, entrepreneurs, technologists, policymakers and business visionaries – united in their commitment to developing a vibrant economy in the UK.

Wayne Preece
CEO, Hydro Industries
Wayne Preece is CEO of Hydro Industries, a water technology company that supplies drinking water to communities in some of the world’s most under-developed environments.

Rachel Clacher
Co-founder / Founder, Moneypenny / WeMindTheGap
Most people in the UK have spoken to Moneypenny without even realising. The world-leader in telephone answering, live chat and outsourced switchboard solutions.

Kevin Crofton
President/Corporate VP, SPTS Technologies/Orbotech
SPTS Technologies is the Newport-based business behind the technology in our everyday devices. Its pieces can be found in the world’s bestselling mobile phones, televisions and other technological devices.

Debra Barber
CEO, Cardiff Internationl Airport
Deb joined Cardiff Airport as Operations Director in May 2012 after retiring from a successful 28 year career as Group Captain within the Royal Air Force.

Gwyn Roberts
Founder, Galeri Caernarfon
Over the last 25 years, Galeri Caernarfon, the not-for-profit community enterprise that Gwyn founded, has purchased derelict buildings – shops, offices and housing – within the walled town, and has successfully refurbished and re-developed 20 previously vacant and run-down properties.

Laura Tenison MBE
Owner, JoJo Maman Bébé
Laura Tenison started JoJo Maman Bébé with the proceeds of the sale of her first business; she has since grown the predominantly independent business into the UK’s leading boutique mother and baby brand.

Alistair Wardell
Head of Restructuring South, Grant Thornton
"The Welsh economy is characterised by inspirational people and brilliant organisations that create a real vibrancy in our region. Our aim for the campaign in Wales is to showcase these and set the seed for relationships to build and collaborations to occur which otherwise might never happen. We want to be the catalyst for an environment in which businesses and people can thrive. Alongside some of the brightest and forward-thinking establishments across Wales we want to build a community of progressive leaders to inspire and assist the next generation in making a positive and sustainable difference to the economy and wider community.”

Ken Skates
Economy Secretary
“Developing strong partnerships is an important part of our ongoing work to stimulate growth within the Welsh economy and this campaign by Grant Thornton is all about enabling such relationships to initiate and grow.
Celebrating success, growth and innovation and highlighting our nation’s desire to operate with a strong sense of purpose is to be encouraged and I would urge dynamic individuals, creative organisations and conviction driven enterprises to share their stories here.”

Louise Miles-Payne
Senior Programme Manager, UpRising
"UpRising has seen a number of individuals from Wales grow, innovate and act with a sense of purpose. Our programme as seen a variety of results from securing employment in reputable companies, starting own businesses and joining trustee boards. We work across a variety of communities in Wales including corporates, education, government, cultural and 3rd sector hence we are already embracing many aspects of this Vibrant Economy Wales Campaign and want to continue to do more."

Debra Barber
CEO , Cardiff Airport
"It was inspiring to mix with the other national Faces, there was real energy in the room. I’m especially looking forward to getting together with other fantastic Welsh Faces to see what we might be able to do collectively to help shape the vibrant economy in Wales."

Giles Thornley
CEO , Development Bank of Wales
"Vibrant Economy Wales champions a collaborative approach, bringing individuals and organisations across all sectors together to share knowledge, face challenges and solve problems. It’s a meaningful campaign and one worth getting behind."

Amanda Davies
Chief Executive, Pobl Group
“Pobl Group’s growth is inspired and informed by the ambitions of the diverse communities and customers we make a positive difference for each day. Vibrant Economy Wales recognises the importance of different communities collaborating, celebrating success and learning from each other, so Pobl are proud to be part of the campaign”

Steve Dimmick
Founder/Chief Commercial Officer , Doopoll
"If you're part of a start-up or scale-up, then the Vibrant Economy Wales Campaign should be a complete no-brainer. We believe that if you build yourself you can build each other. Just as iron sharpens iron, people sharpen each other. As such, it would be great to see more Welsh names featured in Grant Thornton’s national 100Faces Campaign, allowing us to benefit from this knowledge sharing, but crucially also showcasing the burgeoning talent we have in this great country of ours."

Ashley Cooper
Co-Founder & Director, Catalyst Growth Partners
"Success breeds success. In Wales we have some fantastic success stories from across the eco-System whether they be in Academia, SME’s, Large Corporates or Entrepreneurial start-ups. Growing a business is however not easy, and we tend to rightly focussed on execution and the immediate tasks at hand. However success is very much a “team sport” and by taking time to collaborate, and to associate with people and businesses experiencing the same challenges as you, and in particular to interact with those people and businesses who have already overcome the challenges you are facing, we will significantly accelerate our growth profile. Knowing why we are doing what we are doing and what ultimately we are looking to achieve is a key contributor to both our growth and ultimate success. Creating the right conditions for business growth is absolutely the key objective of Vibrant Economy Wales and of BeTheSpark.Wales . By creating the right environment for both people and businesses to grow we will be stronger as a nation, create more home grown businesses, more success stories and more prosperity for all."

Ruth Marks
Chief Executive, WVCA (Wales Council for Voluntary Action)
"The Vibrant Economy Wales Campaign will be inclusive of successful organisations from a wide variety of communities and sectors across Wales. This will enable individuals and enterprises to learn from and support each other, whilst sharing in celebrating the great successes that are evident across our country."